Chris, Thank you for your answer, it has helped a great deal!

download instructions for 16x manual zoom
 

does anybody know where I can find the instructions for the 16x manual zoom lens??

check your mailbox

thanks Richard !!
 

I appreciate it !!

16x Manual Lens
 

Ok here's a question about DOF.
I've read the articles on the 16x lens but my question is about DOF. Does the 16x have shallow DOF like the glass on the "big" cameras? I realize how deep this question can be but I'm looking for answers from users of this lens...

Thanks
Steve

I think the one word answer is, no! See this thread and others, for the whole story.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...al+depth+field

Good luck----Mike

16x Manual Lens
 

Thank you Mike,,, that's all I needed,, have a great one

Also see this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...hlight=dof+16x

basically the longer the lens the better for DOF.

Mike

It's not the lens, it's the size of the imager that determines depth of field...as long as you are using a 1/3" camera (XL1, DVX 100, the HDV cameras, etc.) the depth of field will be the same on all regardless of which lens is in use. This is why devices like the Mini35 and it's knockoffs have become so popular, it's the only way to get the shallow depth of field on a 1/3" camera that one would expect from a 35mm size imager.

It also depends, along with the mm length of the lens used, how wide the aperture/iris opening is set.

DEPTH OF FIELD / FOCAL POINT issues
 

From what I understand, you would get less depth of field or the "illusion of sharpness" with the 20x than the 16x because the 20x is a longer lens (now, this is under the assumption you have both lenses zooming out to the most powerful end and your camera and subject have not moved and you have the same framing and are using the same F-stop. Remember, all depth of field is "apparent sharpness" - The only true sharpness is your FOCAL POINT - and this is the true focus on what you are actually focusing upon - eyes, usually on a person - so depth of field or apparent focus will be sharper or less sharp depending on what F-stop you are using. If you use F 22 you will have MORE depth of field in front and behind the subject. If you use F 1.6, you will have LESS depth of field in front and behind your FOCAL POINT or whatever you are focusing upon. I teach a college class in digital and film still photography...and pretty much the same goes for digital photography with lenses. BUY the 16x - MANUAL FOCUS lens and you will be happy about the control you have over focus issues.

"....From what I understand, you would get less depth of field or the "illusion of sharpness" with the 20x than the 16x because the 16x is a longer lens..."

No, the 20X is a longer lens than the 16X.

correct....the longer the magnification of a lens, the LESS the depth of field will be. Hence the reason the guys from SI shoot with long lenses with Large apertures so they can "blow" the background out of focus. Also your camera to subject has a lot to do with less DOF, too....

1. Length of lens
2. Camera to subject
3. F-stop

all of these affect depth of field